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France · French Guiana
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MetOp-SG-B1: preparations and launch

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This dossier follows preparations for Europe's MetOp-SG-B1 weather satellite, its planned launch and subsequent entry into service.

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MetOp-SG-B1 being prepared at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.
Image published on 4 November 2026. © ESA-CNES-AVIO/Optique vidéo du CSG–S. Martin; ESA licence, editorial use. — © ESA-CNES-AVIO/Optique vidéo du CSG–S. Martin — ESA Standard Licence, utilisation éditoriale ; 4 novembre 2026 ; version web.

Where things stand

The European Space Agency announced on 4 November 2026 that the MetOp-SG-B1 weather satellite had moved to a cleanroom in Kourou and been removed from its transport container. Launch on Ariane 6 remains planned towards the end of the year.

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Reported information

MetOp-SG-B1 leaves its container ahead of final checks in Kourou

The European Space Agency announced on 4 November 2026 that the MetOp-SG-B1 weather satellite had moved to a cleanroom in Kourou and been removed from its transport container. Launch on Ariane 6 remains planned towards the end of the year.

MetOp-SG-B1 being prepared at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.
Image published on 4 November 2026. © ESA-CNES-AVIO/Optique vidéo du CSG–S. Martin; ESA licence, editorial use. — © ESA-CNES-AVIO/Optique vidéo du CSG–S. Martin — ESA Standard Licence, utilisation éditoriale ; 4 novembre 2026 ; version web.

Teams are preparing to switch it on. Final checks, fuelling and encapsulation within the launcher fairing remain ahead, according to ESA.

The satellite is intended to complement MetOp-SG-A1, launched in August 2025, observing the atmosphere and environment for weather forecasting and climate research. Ground preparations do not yet mean its data are available to meteorologists.

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